No new info about police shooting of Lee man

LEE — No new information has been released yet regarding the officer-involved shooting on Lee Hook Road earlier this month that sent a Lee man to the hospital with gunshot wounds.

Officials continue to investigate the shooting and do not anticipate releasing details any time soon.

According to information obtained by Foster’s, Steven Amazeen, 45, was shot by Durham police officers after he reportedly pointed a weapon at responding officers, prompting them to shoot.

Amazeen had reportedly discharged the firearm in his home at 289 Lee Hook Road and was described as being suicidal. After his wife, Mary, called 911, multiple departments responded to the scene.

Amazeen was approached by officers in the road a short distance from his home where a domestic issue had likely taken place, according to Senior Assistant Attorney General Susan Morrell.

Amazeen’s wife and young son were home at the time and were not injured. After he was shot Amazeen was transported by McGregor Ambulance to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover.

Morrell recently told Foster’s no new information would be released until the investigation concluded. She also would not confirm whether Durham officers had shot Amazeen.

Amazeen was last known to be in stable condition; no update has been provided on his medical condition since he was shot.

Lee Hook Road remained closed to traffic until about 4:30 p.m. that day as investigators including the state Major Crimes Unit conducted the investigation.

Morrell said officials would investigate whether a mental health or substance abuse problem contributed to his actions in the early hours of Monday, Dec. 3.

Durham Deputy Police Chief Rene Kelley could not comment on which, if any, officers were on administrative leave from his department, nor could he state whether any Durham officers were involved in the shooting as all inquiries must go through the attorney general’s office.